The iconic monarch butterfly is a true marvel of nature. It weighs less than a penny, yet it makes one of the longest migrations on Earth across a continent, with pinpoint navigational accuracy, to a secluded place it has never been. In Flight of the...

Jean-Michel Cousteau, son of ocean pioneer Jacques Cousteau, brings to the Giant IMAX Dome screen a stunning look at a secret world within the ocean. Dive in and discover the beauty and diversity of the oceans—the source of all life on our planet....

Limited Engagement! Through September 7 only!
The magic is back in San Diego! The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center welcomes Jason Latimer, the World Champion of Magic and judge on Syfy's Wizard Wars, to the Heikoff Giant Dome Theater for a special...

Through visually stunning imagery, and in collaboration with leading space experts, Journey To Space showcases the exciting plans NASA and the space community are working on to take humans further into space than ever before. The film calls attention to...

Dive In to the Newest Giant Screen Adventure!
An extraordinary journey into the mysterious world of one of nature’s most awe-inspiring marine mammals, Humpback Whales takes audiences to Alaska, Hawaii and the Kingdom of Tonga for an immersive look at...

Come and experience the greatest science show on Earth at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, through September 7, 2015!
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls: Step right up! CIRCUS: Science Under The Big Top has come to San Diego!
Experience the...

Stand back: We're doing science! Don't Try This at Home is a series of new live shows that explore science that's too messy, too noisy and too hair-raising to do at home! You can experience multiple different shows throughout the day, one show performed...

Explore new frontiers in technology through 3D printing in the Tinkering Studio at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. Join us on the afternoons of August 2, 9 and 16, from noon to 2 p.m., for a special three-session workshop on computer-aided design (...

The first Monday of every month, seniors 65 and better can enjoy the Science Center exhibits, a show in the Heikoff Giant Dome Theater and a lecture on the quietest day of the month for only $8! No coupons or additional discounts are accepted. The Fleet'...

As a thank you to San Diego County residents, the Fleet offers Residents’ Free Tuesday on the first Tuesday of each month.
Free Gallery Admission
Free gallery admission applies to San Diego City and County residents, local college students and active-...

Join us on the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. or 8:15 p.m. for a tour of the solar system narrated by the Fleet’s astronomer. Journey through the cosmos with us as we explore a new topic each month.
For optimal viewing, each show is limited to...

It’s not a scientific mystery that learning is more fun when you’re drinking with friends and colleagues. And thus, the idea for Suds & Science was born: bimonthly events that bring scientists face-to-face with the general public in a neighborhood...

… What sounds like the beginning of a rather bad joke is a fun, new community program by the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.
50 Scientists. 25 Bars. One Night. All Over San Diego County.
During Two Scientists Walk Into a Bar, local scientists will...

Join the Fleet's Curator of Impossible Science, Jason Latimer, as he hosts the first ever Impossible Science Festival, taking place at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center!
Learn how to make objects invisible.
Walk on water!
Explore levitation...

Each month, a different local scientist, engineer or researcher will share their passion for what they do and provide information that will be useful in your classroom. We will focus on connecting the real science happening in San Diego with the Next...

Dr. Jeffrey Kirsch to Retire Following an Outstanding 30 Years of Service as Executive Director of the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, in June 2013

Following an Extensive Nationwide Search, We Are Pleased to Announce The Fleet's New Executive Director: Steven Snyder, Ph.D.

March 19, 2013

New Fleet Executive Director Dr. Steven Snyder

Retiring Fleet Executive Director Dr. Jeffrey Kirsch

Reuben H. Fleet Science Center 40th Anniversary logo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE:

San Diego, CA—March 14, 2013—Dr. Jeffrey Kirsch will retire from his highly successful tenure as Executive Director of the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center on June 30, 2013. Kirsch, former chair of the Giant Screen Cinema Association (GSCA), is recognized as a pioneer and major contributor to the production and exhibition of IMAX® films in science museums, and he has changed the face of science education in San Diego.

Dr. Kirsch joined the Fleet as Executive Director in January 1983. Under his leadership, the institution has quintupled its membership, doubled its physical size and become a major contributor to science education and science literacy for the region. Home to the world’s first IMAX Dome Theater, the Fleet gained international prominence under Dr. Kirsch’s guidance with the recent installation of a new giant dome screen and digital GSX™ system in the theater––also making it the first in the US to share a digital planetarium with an IMAX Dome Theater. Dr. Kirsch will continue to be a contributing force in the Giant Screen Cinema and IMAX universes and is looking forward to his next project, serving as consulting producer on a film about the Panama Canal, now in the planning stages but aimed to debut as part of the Balboa Park 2015 Centennial.

Following an extensive nationwide search, we are pleased to announce the Fleet's new executive director: Dr.Steven Snyder. Dr. Snyder is currently Vice President, Exhibit and Program Development at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, PA. Most recently, Dr. Snyder has been responsible for strategic planning at The Franklin Institute, driving the development of a new strategic plan leveraging the organization’s unique assets and position to redefine its relationship with its visitors, supporters and community. He also redefined expectations at this mature institution in order to create a more innovative and forward-looking staff, resulting in stabilization of earned revenue program performance and internal institutional capacity. As part of a recent major renovation, he redefined more than 80,000 square feet of existing exhibitry, theaters and public programs, and improved educational impact, average yearly visitation and financial stability. In the late 90’s at The Kansas City Museum/Science City, he opened a 65,000-square-foot science center amidst the restoration of the second-largest train station in the United States while maintaining programming and operations of that regional history museum.

Forty years ago, a spark ignited our imaginations! March 9, 2013, kicked off a year-long celebration of the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center and its 40 years of success in bringing hands-on science to our San Diego community. In 1973, the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center opened its doors and brought interactive exhibits and the world’s first IMAX® Dome Theater to San Diego. Today, the Fleet inspires minds and connects individuals to science and technology through more than 100 “do touch” exhibits for all ages and amazing IMAX films and planetarium shows in the recently renovated Heikoff Giant Dome Theater. Enjoy our year-long celebration, featuring a blockbuster exhibition, incredible events and dynamic educational experiences.

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About the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center

The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center (the Fleet) is home to Southern California's only Giant Dome Theater and 100+ hands-on science exhibits for all ages. Watch immersive giant-screen films in the Eugene Heikoff and Marilyn Jacobs Heikoff Giant Dome Theater, which reopened in 2012 after extensive renovations. Our theater is extraordinary in many ways. It is the world's first IMAX® Dome Theater, the world's first NanoSeam™ Dome screen in an IMAX theater, and it offers two unique experiences in one space: IMAX films and planetarium shows. The Heikoff Giant Dome Theater boasts a 76-foot tilted Dome screen and a 16,000-watt digital surround sound system, providing a stunning visual and audio experience. Experience eight galleries of fun, interactive exhibits, including major traveling exhibitions. A hurricane simulator thrills visitors with gusts of wind up to 80 miles per hour. Enjoy sandwiches, salads and healthy treats in Galileo's Café. Find unique educational toys and games, books, IMAX DVDs and more in the North Star Science Store. Located at 1875 El Prado, two blocks south of the San Diego Zoo on Park Blvd., the Fleet Science Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to furthering the public understanding and enjoyment of science and technology. For information regarding current admission prices, please call (619) 238-1233 or visit our website at www.rhfleet.org.